BMW 5-series pics - full launch at 7pm

These are the first official images of the new BMW 5-series saloon, which have leaked out ahead of the car’s official unveiling on Monday evening.

Although the car remains partially covered, further details have been seen on lightly-disguised 5-series saloon and estate models that have been spied in recent weeks as the firm enters the final stages of development of the car.

Styling will be much more conservative than the current model, but it will feature a larger version of the firm’s trademark kidney front grille.

It will share its platform with the recently-launched BMW 5-series GT, which itself uses a chopped down 7-series platform. BMW will apply much of what it has learned developing the ride and handling of the GT into the 5-series.

The car will be slightly larger than the outgoing model but thanks to weight-saving measures it should be no heavier. However, BMW has abandoned its use of lightweight aluminium on key parts of the car, opting instead for an all-steel arrangement.

It will use the firm’s new twin-turbo V8 seen in the X5 M and X6 M and the new M5 will continue the car’s tradition of being more powerful than the one it replaces. Despite this, it will still be more fuel efficient, with reduced emissions.

Little is known at this stage about the new 5-series Touring, but like the saloon, it will be longer, wider and bigger inside than the car it replaces. The boot space is likely to be increased from the maximum 1650 litres in the current car, but it is unlikely to grow beyond the 1950 litres of its biggest rival, the new Mercedes E-class estate.

There will be new codenames for the 2010 5-series: F10 for the saloon, F11 for Touring, F10M for the M5 and F07 for the Gran Turismo.

[quote JackB]It looks like an inflated E46 (facelift version). Admitedly, the current 5-series is an incredibly tough act to follow, as it hardly dated at all since its launch.[/quote]
I agree, and it was Bangle's best work. It also hasn't dated dynamically. It's a shame that it doesn't push the game on stylistically, that crown is well and truly with Mercedes now.
For all that has been levelled against Bangle, the current 5er will be his legacy. it is astonishing as to how fresh and modern it still looks.

[quote Mart_J]I agree, and it was Bangle's best work. It also hasn't dated dynamically. It's a shame that it doesn't push the game on stylistically, that crown is well and truly with Mercedes now. For all that has been levelled against Bangle, the current 5er will be his legacy. it is astonishing as to how fresh and modern it still looks.[/quote]

It does still look amazingly fresh considering its age, but I beg to differ about the dynamics - the world is making softer, gentler, more comfortable cars now, and the current 5-Series still smells of boom era estate agent out to make a statement rather than a sane motoring choice. Look at the new Golf, any Mercedes, the X1 etc. to see how cars that would once have been marketed as edgy/sporty/dynamic 'driving machines' are now selling based on how rounded and capable they are.

I like the look of the new 5. Sure it's just a glimpse but it still looks a handsome car. If it rides and steers like an E39 and goes back to the same level of quality of interior you can count me in.

"The new 5 series" is "The new Doctor Who". People are upset when it changes. They feel the new one looks all wrong. But by the time the new one has matured into being the old one, it's "irreplaceable, a classic".